bar a few (Neymar). But in the past it was seemingly more acceptable to be a bit of a showman, which I am a big fan of. Plus, it's not always so fun to watch someone who is always good, a bit of pathos adds a lot of likeability to a player. This doesn't stop Messi being the best, but it does stop him being my favourite (which I'm sure will crush him).

Jarni would be just behind him, as I don't think he ever played for Coventry. Prosinecki is ruled out due to his little spell at Portsmouth. Mihajlovi? is up there but he's a little more difficult to like now than he was when I was a young 'un.

At least Portsmouth got to win the FA Cup before being flushed down the drain, we've just gone from a fairly badly run, wobbly Championship club to being a complete fucking joke for no fucking reason. Where was the ludicrous spending? Where was the ludicrous defence of a racist player? Where was the advert for chicken? All these new owners have done is sack a string of unremarkable managers and buy some shithouse Kuwaiti player for no reason.

No closer to a new manager at Huddersfield. Megson became favourite over the weekend, but then it emerged he was at Derby of his own volition, and not invited by Hoyle. The aforementioned Adkins name is still floating around. Di Canio seems to have come into the picture. God knows.

In other, Barca-related news, Pepe Reina can fuck off. You don't have a howler like that and then come out and say "this team can't compete with the big guns, it's the most unsettled season for the team since I've been at Liverpool". Unless you're pushing for a move, of course.

The thing is, he needn't say anything given his current form. Barca want a keeper and hopefully his shit form will pick up enough for them to splash the cash.

Also: honourary mention to some of the City fans who were sat near us on Sunday who held up the 'Enough is Enough' banner with me and a few others. And for the song 'You're not lazy, you only hate work.' song which got many a laugh.

Looking at our fixtures, there are no games in there that I would expect to lose. I'm probably dreaming but we SHOULD be able to go the season unbeaten from here. Imagine that. (not including Uefa Cup)

Landlord's update: "But just a couple of things. The police are "requesting" us to close at 9pm. In addition we have to have qualified door staff, we've to immediately report any suspected trouble makers (Orient or Southend), and serve drinks in plastic
glasses. But its not the end of the world as we'll have lots of lovely ales on, and be doing some rolls."